I'm not sure I understand the logic behind not being able to pay the debt.

Charlie's father was relying on a commission to pay back the debt, which he lost to Charlie, who used it to pay for her brother's schooling, so we were still keeping the funds within the family and her brother would have needed more money anyway, so I don't see how things were supposed to come out ok. I know there was another commission or two in there, but still.